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Friday, November 20, 2009

Well, folks, I'm doing it - I'm finally writing fantasy! My historical novel SS-5 completed, I'm winging it through NaNo and plunging into my second novel, A Forbidden Homeland, which just happens to be my first foray into speculative fiction!

(Yeah, right, I know, compound the problem. Write a new genre and do it during NaNo. Nothing like taking on a challenge!)

The seed for this novel was a dream. Shaky ground at best, but it stuck with me for five years, racketing around and collecting bits of plot, characters, dialogue. Eventually I gave up, took the idea out, and gave it some serious attention, which led to an outline, which led...ahem...to where I am, on the brink of writing speculative!

The plot is based on the British subjugation of Ireland, and originally was going to be historical fiction. But gradually I realized the characters had a different story to tell. I'm not fully diving into the wilder aspects of speculative - there's no magic, no swords, no elves or dwarfs or unicorns. No laser guns, light sabers, or sonic screwdrivers. The characters drive the plot, in a world which is much like ours...but not quite. Ironically, since the roots are based in history, the story has taken on chilling aspects of our modern world; it's become, to me, a possible look at the future. Primitive evil hidden under the fine surface of advanced civilization.

Excited, am I? You bet! But also apprehensive. Worldbuilding is crazy hard! I don't see how speculative writers do this all the time!

On the brink of walking through the wardrobe, I'm nervous. Scared. Absolutely terrified! I must be INSANE to do this!

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(with Ruth Rockafield)

British nurse Liz Knight goes to London searching for her sister. But it's the height of WWII, and London is under seige as Nazi planes strafe and bomb the city to ruins. As hope crumbles along with the city, Liz's search for her sister becomes a desperate search for courage and faith to survive.

A Texas Ranger is sent to investigate mysterious lynchings in the town of Silver Springs. He quickly finds himself mired in evil secrets simmering under the surface. His only chance of escape is to find the person who leads the killers. But when he becomes the newest victim, time starts running out.